Eric Sparkle and the Quest for Gloom Mountain
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
The next morning after the coronation, Eric woke up in his new bedroom at the Canterlot Castle. He got out of bed and then approached his pet otter, Ron.
“Morning, Ron,” Eric said, petting him.
Ron woke up and chittered in response. Once Eric got dressed and brushed his teeth, he exited his bedroom and looked for the dining room. He then saw two guards who might be helpful.
“Guards!” Eric called out.
“Yes, Prince Eric?” the guards asked.
“Please show me to the dining room,” Eric said.
“Right away,” the guards replied.
It wasn’t long before Eric was finally at the dining room. There, he noticed both his parents, along with Spike were already seated as Midnight was in his high chair.
“Morning, mom and dad,” Eric said.
“Morning, Eric. You’re right on time for breakfast,” Twilight replied.
“Good, ‘cause I’m still trying to know my way around this place. I needed some guards to escort me here,” Eric said.
“You’ll get used to this castle soon enough,” Storm replied reassuringly.
Eric and his family started eating their pancake breakfast, which also included scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fruit.
Once everyone was finished eating, Twilight and Storm were prepping for their first day as the new rulers. Eric got onto her back and she flew him to magic school.
“Mom, I’m a little nervous about the entrance exam,” Eric said.
“I was, too when I first started. Yesterday, I asked the judges to be more patient with you,” Twilight replied.
“Thanks, I hope I pass,” Eric said.
“You just need to believe in yourself. If you fail today, you’ll have two more chances,” Twilight replied.
Once there, she walked him inside and led him to a testing room.
“This is a test of your magic ability. You may begin when ready,” one of the judges said.
Eric took some time to think about his happiest memories before he finally incanted, “Expecto Patronum.”
Just then, a full bodied Patronus was cast in the form of a dolphin. It jumped around the room until it disappeared. The judges were in awe at this.
“Impressive,” the second judge said.
“You passed,” the third judge added.
“How’d you do that?” the first judge asked.
“It’s called the Patronus Charm. It is beyond the ordinary wizarding level and requires one to think of happy memories in order to conjure one. In the world I came from, it’s used for protection against foul creatures called dementors, which feed on one’s soul. Good thing we have none of those here in Equestria,” Eric explained.
“Good to know,” the fourth judge replied.
Eric left the room to begin his first class. As he walked down the hallway, Eric met up with Nightshade.
“Hi, Nightshade!” Eric greeted.
“Hi, Eric. Good to finally see you in school,” Nightshade said.
“While I do miss going to school in Ponyville, it’s good to be attending magic school,” Eric replied.
“I noticed an increase in the number of guards lately and some of the Wonderbolts are here. What’s up with that?” Nightshade asked.
“My parents stepped up guard recruitment for the army and recruitment for the Wonderbolts. They also sent some garrisons and Wonderbolt divisions to protect the other cities and towns in Equestria,” Eric explained.
“Understood, that way we’ll be be prepared for Glacio’s next move,” Nightshade replied.
“Here’s hoping,” Eric said.
On the outskirts of Canterlot, Blueblood crept into the city, headed for the castle. He snuck past the guard and Wonderbolt patrols until he managed to reach the castle. There, Blueblood stunned a guard and took his medallion, which opened the door. He then teleported to the dungeon where Crimson Mystic was held.
It was then that Blueblood used his magic to unlock the cell door and free the former professor. He then took the magic cancelling ring off of Mystic’s horn. They teleported outside the dungeon and snuck out of the castle.
“I thank you for freeing me, Prince Blueblood,” Crimson Mystic said.
“Sure. I noticed an increase in guards and the Wonderbolts are also here In Canterlot,” Blueblood replied.
“We must report this to Glacio,” Crimson Mystic said.
It was then that they snuck outside Canterlot into the outskirts. They both teleported back to the ice fortress in the Crystal Mountains. There, they entered the throne/council room where Glacio, Cinch, Lady Arcana, and several army officers were gathered.
“My lord, there’s an increase of guards in Canterlot and the Wonderbolts have a presence there, too,” Blueblood said.
“Good of you to report, and I see you succeeded in freeing Crimson Mystic,” Glacio replied.
“According to reports from our other spies, the reformed Equestrian Army has garrisons of guards and Wonderbolt divisions in the other cities and towns,” Frostbite said.
“Tomorrow, we begin our conquest starting with the cities and towns in Northern Equestria,” Glacio replied.
“What if Equestria’s allies come to their aid?” Hot Shot asked.
“I’ve asked our allies to keep them busy. The Thracians will invade Maretonia, while the Hayburg Army will attack Prance and Marescovy by land. The Hayburg Navy will blockade Prance and Marescovy by sea. The trolls, the centaurs, the gargoyles, the minotaurs, the reindeer, the diamond dogs, the harpies, the gorgons, the sphinxes, the avifelines, the banshees and the oni will attack the hippogriffs, griffons, Saddle Arabians, yaks, Abyssinians, Ornithians, dragons, zebras, and changelings,” Glacio explained.
“Good thinking, my lord,” Hot Shot replied.
“General, make preparations for battle immediately,” Glacio ordered.
“Yes, my lord,” Frostbite replied.
It was then that he, Hot Shot, and the other high ranking officers left the room.
Back in Canterlot, Eric and Nightshade in the lunch room eating their homemade lunches. Just then, a snooty voice spoke up, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the two-legged freak of a prince and the blank flank weirdo.”
The voice came from a grayish green teenage unicorn colt with a black and lavender mane, indigo eyes, and three cent signs for a cutie mark. Alongside him were two younger twin pale olive green unicorn colts. One had slightly curly brown hair, purple eyes, and a drab cloth for a cutie mark, while the other had short black hair, blue eyes, and a boiling pot for a cutie mark.
“Go away, Mint Coin,” Nightshade replied.
“If you have any issues with us, we’ll settle this outside school,” Eric added.
“Have it your way, prince,” Mint Coin said, “Come on, bros.”
“Who were those colts?” Eric asked.
“Mint Coin and his younger brothers, Drabs and Boiler. They’re Jet Set and Upper Crust’s sons, they talk down to those who aren’t wealthy and they’re very racist and speciesist,” Nightshade replied.
As the school day went by, Eric found it difficult to stay focused on his classes as the unicorn students were either hounding him for autographs or picking on him. He was relieved once school was out for the day as he and Twilight headed back to the castle.
“How’d your first day go?” Twilight asked.
“It was really crazy today, mom,” Eric replied, “The other students kept either asking for my autograph or picking on me.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Twilight said.
Once back at the castle, Storm and Spike helped Eric with his homework. Shortly after he was finished, Eric was playing with his little brother, Midnight until it was time for dinner.
